Darende

Darende
Country	Turkey
Province	Malatya
Government
• Mayor	Süleyman Eser (AKP)
• Kaymakam	Murat Uzunparmak
Area
• District	1,362.62 km2 (526.11 sq mi)
Elevation	958 m (3,143 ft)
Population  (Template:Turkey district populations)Template:Turkey district populations
• Urban	Template:Turkey district populations
• District	Template:Turkey district populations
Post code	447xx
Website	www.darende.bel.tr

Darende, (Kurdish: Darende), is a district of Malatya Province of Turkey. The mayor is Süleyman Eser (AKP).

Information

Darende is located in Malatya district. Darende was a centre of science and culture, during the ancient silk road times. The city centre is situated on the East Anatolia Region where there is a statue of a big door that was the entrance of the city Malatya. The largest district of Malatya is Darende. Darende is located in the west of the city also placed on the trade route that is on the upper part of Euphrate (Firat) and on the valley of Tohma where ancient caravans passed. The district, placed on the road between Ankara and Istanbul have as borders Hekimhan on the South of Akçadağ, on the southern west part of Gürün, and North of Kuluncak and Kangal. It has 1540m2 area. Its height above sea level is 1006 m. Satellite view of Darende.

History

Darende has a long history, being in the centre of different civilizationes. Until 1914 the population of Darende was quite diverse, the city had an Armenian population of 3,983, with 3 Armenian churches and schools, which had about 300 pupils. After the events of 1915 only a small minority of Armenians stayed, those who stayed secretly changed the names for Islamic names to avoid further repression. Since the founding of modern Turkey, Darende has grown in population. The surrounding geography includes the Tohma River flows in Darende abundantly. In 1934, it was one of the districts of Sivas, but because of cultural, climatic and regional similarities, Darende became one of the districts of Malatya. The city sustained its popularity in the First period of Turkish Republic.

Balaban, Aşaği Ulupinar, Yenice, Ayvali, Ilica and Ağilbaşi towns, and there are 44 villages in Darende. It was called as Timelkie, Tiranda, Tiryandafil and Derindere in history and at present it is called Darende. The Zengibar Castle is the symbol of the district. It is one of the interesting castles of Turkey that is built on rocks. The castle was built during the Hittite and Urartu civilizations. The castle has an entrance gate, the King’s house and graves remnants. There are three graves of Sahabe and they are on the field of “HU DEDE” which is on the slopes of castle. Darende had been conquered by Halid Bin Velid whose army hadn’t been defeated in any time and since then it has been centre of belief and culture. Seyyid Abdurrahman Gazi had been martyred on this land while he was a soldier of Holy Army fighting for the Conquest of Istanbul.

Hasan gazi (who was uncle and father in law of Seyyid Battal Gazi) died while serving the Ottoman State and Islam. He is buried on the hill that now bears his name. The tomb of Hasan Gazi which reminds Huseyin’s holiness on Karbala attracts visitors' interest.

According to some Muslim ideologies those who died for Islam show deed to all humanity all over the world. Abdurrahman Erzincani mosque and its complex is a frequented place for visitors. Its historical bridges, Ozan monument, Danabey Masjid, Great mosque, Mehmet Paşa Mosque complex, Ibrahim paşa Mosque and the minarets that their mosques represent the history of the district. There are current projects of the directorate general of foundations, DGOF, to restore the minarets. There are historical richesness such as Aslantaşlar(Lion Stones) 20 km away from Darende situated on the northern part of the district.

Two rocks that could not be known their date meet you when you go there. (Divriği, Gürün, Eğin, Arapgir and Darende)

According to rumours these statues of lions were pieces of a temple in ancient times. Their faces look at the side sun rises.

Moral Worths

One of this Moral Worths is Seyh Hamid-i Veli known as Somuncu Baba and Osman Hulusi efendi was a Saint of Darende and grandchild of somuncu baba. They are considered hearts and hands of people that reached the creator.

Somuncu Baba who was born in 1331 and lived till 1412 was a grandchild of Muhammed, The Last Prophet.

Beside Somuncu Baba, Osman Hulusi Efendi was a grandchild of last prophet and lived from 1914 to 1990.”serve everyone for God, love and be loved : Not be spine to eyes, be hycint and rose”

His eternal grave turned into a complex with the flowers, water and rose beds. Also it is to be mentioned that he was the teacher of haci bayrami veli who is one of the leader of Islamic life in Anatolia. This is a Pilgrimage place.

Getting there

Darende is stated on the D300 highway which links Ankara and Istanbul to Malatya and some 12 other cities .

The distance to Malatya is 110 km Sivas 180 km and Kayseri 250 km. The arrival from Darende to other cities is done by the long-distance bus.

There is also the Erhaç Airport which has flights to Ankara and Istanbul everyday. It is 80 km away Darende.

Sights

Tohma canyon

Gürpinar waterfall

• The Gökpinar has
• Healing Kudret pool is an important place to be seen.
• Rafting in the canyon is a touristic attraction
• Kudret pool ins among the warmest of the world it stays on 220C warmth all year long.
• Swimming sport centre by Hulusi Efendi foundation.
• Gürpinar waterfall is an important picnic place. It is 8 km away from Darende.
• Zengibar Kalesi (Castle) is situated on the slopes high above the Tohma canyon.

Admininstrative Construction

Darende is one of the most developed districts in Turkey due to the administrative construction and improvements of the Darende Municipality, and the Seyyid Osman Hulusi Efendi Foundation. The innovation of the development in Darende is es-seyyid Osman Hulusi efendi foundation focuses on different areas such as education, health, cultural and social help. Currently there is a project that includes Darende´s state Hospital.

Economy

Darende is a centre of culture and tourism, that benefits and supports Turkish economy with its industrial growth. During Darende´s summer temperature rise and winter can be quite cold.

Apricot production

The most important income is apricot. There are approximately 1.5 million apricot trees in Darende. Apricot in Darende covers %25 per cent of total apricot production in Malatya. Mişmiş (the local name of apricot) is locally known for improving some health condition such as cardiac, insufficiency, nephirity, indigestion, cancer, anemia, asteolysis. Apples, pear, plum, mulberry, cherry, grape are also produced in Darende. With the Gökpinar watering Project this production will be possible all year around providing a stable income.

Work

The are some production of ready-made clothes. There are also some traditional jobs like coppersmiths, blacksmiths, carpenters and shoemakers. The population of the city center is about 14,000.

Cultural Activities

In summer there are festivals and some other activities in Darende. In June, especially, Darende somuncu baba and Hulusi efendi cultural festivals influence everybody in Turkey. In July there are some other activities such as wrestling and culture festival on 30 August circumcise feast music feast, karakucak wrestling feast… Those feast are done by the help Osman Hulusi efendi foundation. Worldwide popular circumciser Mr. Kemal Özkan helps to circumcise feast.

Education

The literacy rate in Darende is very high.

Important culture centres

• The library founded by Sadrazam Mehmet
• Somuncu baba library in somuncu baba kulliye

Students dormitories, Darende high school, Professional education centres.

• Private birgül primary school
• Students at private birgül high school learn English as a foreign language and an speak English like native speakers.

Contact

• Es Seyyid Osman Hulusi Efendi Foundation
• Darende Municipality
• Darende Kaymaikam
• Tiryandafil Hotel
• Darende Hotel

Schools

• Private Birgul Primary School in Darende Official web site